Uncut Gems

Uncut Gems                                                                                                                       January 29, 2020

This is a very  New York movie. Adam Sandler plays Howard Ratner a jeweler in the diamond district. Howard is not only addicted to gambling, but he is delusional about his ability to win. Almost all of the action takes place in Manhattan, specifically the diamond district.

Ratner is hyperactive, is never still and constantly talking. He is a liar and a kaniver. He molds reality to fit his needs. He perpetually owes money to the bookies and by sheer luck stays one step ahead until he is not. He is married (going to divorce)  with children, has a nice house, an apartment in Manhattan and a mistress. Adam Sandler is perfect for this role. He inherently has all the characteristics of Howard Ratner. I am sure he did not have to audition. All this said he gave an excellent performance. Given his body of work, this is his apex. Let’s remember we are starting very low with his early films.

The uncut gem here is an opal from Ethiopia that Howard overestimates its value. Kevin Garnett (yes that Kevin Garnett) becomes infatuated with the stone and wants to own it. So a big part of the story is the journey of the stone. As with all addicted gamblers, it is all about the bet and in this case its lethal effects.

Sandler is joined by an impressive ensemble of actors. The senior citizen  actors  include Judd Hersch, Eric Bogosian and Mike Francesa. Kevin Garnett did an impressive job playing himself. Howard’s wife is played by Idina Menzel, she played the role with all the steeliness and warmth of a Jewish wife on the verge of divorce. Howard’s mistress is played by a newcomer, Julia Fox. She was born in Milan (Ciao Bella), graduated City-As-School and for six months was a dominatrix, but she never got her license. She did a good job and did not play the bobble head bimbo.

One cool aspect of the movie, some scenes were filmed in our building, Manhattan Place (33^rd floor) where Howard kept an apartment.

The movie is entertaining.  If you are a Sandler fan this is a new welcomed dimension.